Community Service
Dodge Reservation - Rowley
On September 17th some of our team members donated their time to remove invasive plants that were encroaching the walking trails at Dodge Reservation in Rowley. They accomplished a lot that day and we are hoping to make this an annual event to help out our community.
Invasive Plant Identifier
Poison Ivy
Oriental Bittersweet
Japanese Knotweed
Poison Ivy can be harder to recognize than you think. It changes appearance by season and can climb trees, act as a ground cover or just grow straight up from the ground. Poison Ivy has 3 leaves per stem and is easily remembered by the old adage "Leaves of three, let it be".
Japanese Knotweed
Oriental Bittersweet
Japanese Knotweed
The best way to determine if you have knotweed on your property is the little white flowers it has when it is in bloom. Knotweed can be controlled and removed and often needs several treatments.
Oriental Bittersweet
Oriental Bittersweet
Oriental Bittersweet
Bittersweet is one of the more recognizable invasive plants, but most people are unaware of the damage it can cause, uprooting trees and smothering plants. You will recognize this plant by it's bright red berries and ropy, climbing vines.
Black Swallow-wort
Black Swallow-wort
Oriental Bittersweet
You will recognize Black Swallow-wort by it's pretty, little, black flowers in the early summer and close to summer's end they have seed pods that are similar to milkweed. Black Swallow-wort suppresses other vegetation and reduces species diversity.
Burning Bush
Black Swallow-wort
Burning Bush
Burning Bush looks pretty in the fall with it's red leaves, but can really take over your property.